Dhanya Ramji ‘26

March 9th, 2026

“Dance in the Motherland: A Journalistic Exploration of My Experience as an Indian American Bharatanatyam Dancer.”

My name is Dhanya Ramji, and I’m a fourth-year Neuroscience and Hispanic Studies double major. I have learned Bharatanatyam since the age of five, and dancing has always been a way for me to communicate with the world. Telling stories through dance creates worlds that allow me to connect with audiences through music and movement. At Oberlin, I have danced with other artists, both in Indian Classical and Western dance forms, for the Dance department’s showcases, blending choreography from around the world with poetry and new music. This winter term, I had the opportunity to dance in Chennai during their performance season. I was able to dance with others from various walks of life and expand my understanding and appreciation of this art form. I hope to continue to explore this art by blending tradition with innovation to create new works for all kinds of audiences.